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The Technology Trap... The Faster You Go, The Faster You NEED To Go...

Hi All,

I just got back from Inman Connect in San Francisco (where I had a wonderful time and learned loads but that's another blog...) the defacto Real Estate Technology gathering spot. When I arrived in sunny (and it really was sunny for the entire week I was there) San Fran, I thought I was a pretty up-to-date gal. In fact, I would go so far as to say I was technologically advanced (they don't call me Gadget Girl for nothing, boy...). My cellphone did everything I needed a cellphone to do, my camera was a-ok and my laptop (even though it is old - I did buy it in late May '08 after all) was perfectly adequate.

I had been there all of maybe one hour when I willingly stepped into the Technology Trap. I'm working with a new buyer client who is an avowed texting devotee. He is of the one sentence, one word and sometimes even one letter ilk and he sent me a message with a question.

I tend to believe that the way my client contacts me is, unless they tell me otherwise, is the way they prefer to be contacted, so I slowly texted him back.

I am not a great texter, I'll be the first one to admit it, mainly because in my personal life I really resent the whole "text" thing. The idea that someone could decide to send me one message or 1000 and I will get charged for each and every one of them whether I want them, open them or not, just galls me. I have a messaging plan more for self and pocketbook preservation than for personal use, but still...

And that is when it happened, my cellphone which I had just minutes before been quite happy with, was now suddenly transformed into an archaic device bent on holding me back from meaningful dialog. Clearly, this 12 pad dinosaur would never continue to do, it was going to need to be QWERTY at the very least to stay afloat.

Then, I saw the Flip camera and my 8-mega-pixel almost credit card sized wonder was suddenly old hat. Sure, it shoots video too, but it doesn't have that snazzy pop-out USB or such a rapport with AOL & YouTube that they are on a first name basis.

And what real good is a laptop if it doesn't have a touchscreen you can write on, hold a terabyte of information and fit into the back pocket of your skinny jeans while still leaving room for two packs of gum, a box of Altoids and a tube of lip goo?

This is indeed a slippery slope, a veritable minefield just waiting for the unsuspecting traveler to stumble their way into trouble. Now I will be the first to admit that I don't really mind being compelled to update, upgrade or upchuck depending upon the circumstances, but it is dismaying to find that in the time it takes for me to gnaw my way through the blister packing, the item that I am trying to liberate has already become passe.

Oh, sure you can try to keep up. You can tell yourself that things really aren't moving at such a breakneck pace, but the fact remains that as part of this brave new world, in the time it takes to blink, you can and will be left behind. It's like the old ram jet engine "The Faster It Goes, The Faster It Goes".

And, while I may whine and kvetch, the fact remains that since I fancy myself one of the standard bearers blazing a trail into new frontiers, I need to pick up the pace. The tigers of technology are gaining on me and gaining fast. Why, if I wait much longer to implement the changes that my week away brought so forcefully to the forefront, I won't just be left behind I will be deserted. And without an iPhone to point my way, or a window to throw it out of, I fear I truly will be lost.

Take care all, help lots of people and have a wonderful day!

Tisza

Posted by Tisza Major-Posner, DRE#01784679 on 07/28/2008 12:46 AM

Comments (46)

technology, inman connect, claremont, claremont real estate, real estate, realtor, california realtor, humor, cellphone, iphone, flip camera

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46 Comments on The Technology Trap... The Faster You Go, The Faster You NEED To Go...

JUL

2008

The more involved I get and the more I learn, the more I realize there is to learn. I get overwhelmed! I always try to remember that I am a GREAT REALTOR. I am number one in customer service so it is OK. I am not in IT for a living so I think it is all good! :o)

Have you seen WHAMmobile? It's a real estate product that lets people text to receive property info and you get their contact info. I'll disclaim up front that I work for the company so I won't go on and on to tell you how cool it is... But it is a pretty handy way to generate leads and practice your new texting skillz!

All of this, tongue in cheek or not, is so true. And, I too am guilty of enjoying my gadgets.

I text everyday and thought I was the only one with this challenge. Thank-you for the insight. I need to go to this conference next year...

Hi All,

Cristal - I agree.

Jeff - I haven't seen it yet, but I will check it out

Christine - Glad you enjoyed it.

Paul - You're welcome, and you should definately put this on your calendar. Whether you attend in San Francisco or New York, I am sure it would be a great experience.

Take care all, help lots of people and have a wonderful day!

Tisza

Tisza, hey your back !! So nice to meet you at Inman. I know I'm debating which phone to get too. My Blackberry is too old, so time to update. I love my flip, working on downloading the videos' today. Just uploaded my first house video last night to zipvo. Not hard at all.

Tisza,

I have to admit that I'm not into texting at all.....do I need to immediately make this change in my life??

TISZA - This is the most frustrating part of technology to me as well. Keeping up with the latest and greatest takes time away from doing actual business.

Tisza ~ I text like almost everyday. When I am with clients its hard to answer the phone but sending a quick text to who called me letting them know I got there call I am with someone and I will call them at a certain time, My clients love it!

I recently was in a class and was called from another agent that I had a deal working with. I was able to keep up with him through text so it would not slow the deal down. Let me tell you that he wind up going to update his phone since he was not use to it but loved the fact that I did not miss a beat with it since I was in class. So it is very handy in deed!

I love it all and want it all! LOL! Nothing wrong with my current stuff but oh having a new toy is a powerful pull.

Ah Tisza - it warms my heart to see someone like you struggle with the "roaring" speed of the "tiger of technology"! Having spent 20 years or so in tech management, I stepped into Real estate "knowing it all" or thinking I did anyway - In 5 short years, I feel SO BEHIND the curve - I have to admit I'm a fan of texting simply for the reasons I read in your comments - it allows you to respond when multi tasking or to get a response from someone who could not pick up a phone at the time -

Still texting aside, I still can't keep up - Have you played with JOTT - that may help you use your phone more productively to create txt /emails for people

I think of myself as techie too but can't keep up and neither can my wallet. Agree with you regarding text messaging packages offered by the carriers. Great post!

You're not alone Gadget Girl! I've said it before, I'll say it again... the hurrier I go, the behinder I get. Or at least that's how it feels.

I can't imagine how people (who are clueless to what I DO know) are going to be successful in the future if they haven't started figuring out this web 2.0 stuff already.

Tiza - sorry we did "connect" at BC. I have the same feeling about technology sometimes. I am getting pretty good at texting and with my new Blackberry it's easy (the old keyboard made it almost impossible). And most of the time I get a response right away so it is better than email. I try to not get bogged down in trying everything since I know I won;t use it all, and just focus on what I know I wilol use and which will help me the most in my business. I figure I will always be behind and I can live with that.

Jeff

It can be overwhelming, can't it!?!? I agree with the first post: The ROOT of the business is service. If being the Gadget Girl helps you be the best service to your clients, then that is what is best for you. For some, it is more of a stumbling block and needs to be toned down a bit!

I feel so old school, I can read text but don't write it!. is there hope for me? cheryl

I have also been caught up in the trendy, got to have it, technology of the day race. however, i meet with some of the more establiched realtors in my area (20 plus years experience), and they seem to be doing very well without texting, without blogging, and with a very simple website. So i back up, and look at what my target audience lkes to use. Most use cell phones to talk. Most use e-mail maybe once a day.

Don't spend too much time or money on the newest trend, most of you customers don't have it either.

Hey Tisza, very interesting blog. I am a fan of texting in my personal life, but when it comes to business, I like to stick with talking on the phone, e-mail, meetings etc. I guess, just like we negotiate contracts, agreements, leases etc we have to start negotiating the way we communicate with our clients also. I usually ask what people's preferred method of communication is and if they have some weird new style as a preference, I just let them know that I am not familiar with it and ask if it is OK to e-mail etc.

It is definitely becoming more interesting in the tech field.

I, too, use texting everyday as a means to communicate within my company. This is a great post and it definitely is a reminder that face to face or phone communication will always be the best way to touch our clients. Thanks!

JB Brookman

Castle Homes and Estates

Ladera Heights, CA

It is all moving too fast -- and one can forget the fundamentals and go for the pizazz - It also is costly. So, for now, I am going to have to pick and choose what is affordable and what I really need to do my job.

Ah, but there is a big difference between but we WANT and what we truly NEED...

Good points and I agree with you....especially on that texting plan. I have a client that lives and breaths according to text messages and he has single handedly blown my cell phone bill out of the water. LOL Seems like as soon as you get with the program it has changed.

Hi Tisza, You were cracking me up as you went on and on about the flip video....It was great to see you again...

Gadget Girl, We met at "Beer With Bloggers". Fran and Joeann said you were the serious techie, so you can imagine how I felt after Inman. Woefully inadequate hardly begins to describe it. I'll keep plugging. Also, we have to watch our dollars. It can be really tempting to want to buy all this "stuff".

Tisza---This post should be published in Realtor Mag or some other trade magazine---very well written and completely enjoyable to read. It also helps folks like me feel better about where we are---or are not technologically. Thank goodness my own kids are in high school and college and can pull me along and help with what I need to know. They are the only reason I can text. When I start to feel overwhelmed and left behind, I am reminded that it was just three short years ago that a realtor told me e-mail was just a fad. I don't think he is in business any longer......

Tisza, I use to be in technology. one of the major faults is that all the software, applications, etc were accelerating into existence all the time. At some point you had to either be master of a few or master of none (unless you are Jeff Turner). So when you want to slow down, I recommend you pick the few gagets or applications that will give you either the biggest bang for your buck or the most pleasure. AJ

Tisza, I feel your pain, or struggles anyway. I wrote a post a while back about it feeling sometimes like someone has put me on a treadmill and turned it up to extra fast! We will do our best.

Tisza, great post and thank you for sharing your feedback on the conference! Our company CEO, Mike Sparr, attended and said it was without a doubt something we'll be adding to our calendar every year. He had a great time and met so many cool people to network with.

When you said you dropped everything for your client to send them a message back, even though you aren't completely comfortable with it, it shows the great customer service you are providing them and they will be thankful for that! I'd say if there is one thing you want to implement into your marketing portlolio in the next few months or year, a text message marketing service is the way to go! It provides your consumers with instant information about your properties and when you receive alerts, you can follow up with them when the time fits best for your schedule. There are so many great benefits of these services and ultimately you are providing a service that your consumers will love. Mobile advertising most definitely where all companies are heading to reach their consumers.

As far as phones go, I saw someone's new 3G iPhone this weekend. It was definitely cool to look at. I've also heard great things about the newer Blackberry's as well as Treo's. Good luck!!

Tisza It was a blast to see you again - You lucky girl -I don't like texting either but we must have multiple ways of connecting in the way the consumers that want.

Was just speaking with someone this past weekend about the fact that in today's world one needs to be a techie genius , not just a Realtor who can drive a car and show homes. There is never enough time in the say to keep up with it all.

Do you have Metro PCS in your area? Unlimited everything for less than $60 bucks a month and that includes all taxes and phone insurance.

Tisza,

Great post! Sounds like you had a good time at The Inman Connect: and in San Francisco of all places, lucky girl! Don't stress about the technology. You know technology is going to be forever changing and just when you think your caught up with the times, some new gadget hits the surface and reminds us how far behind we are. I take it in stride, other wise my pocket book would be empty! :)

A great post! I am trying to keep up with the technology, myself, and also trying to figure out how all of this allows us to "work smarter." I remember the days when we went to voice mail after about 10pm, unless there was an urgent matter relating to a transaction, or a client. But, now, we are totally accessible 24/7 and 24/7 is not enough! I welcome the day, if it ever comes, that new clients will want to actually talk with us, like most of my past clients still want to do. I still pride myself on personal service and relationship building, which is sometimes difficult to accomplish with modern technology. Thanks for your imput. Terri White Broker/Owner Las Vegas Properties

Tisza~ First of all, awesome name. Totally cool. Loved your post!

Regarding the technology stuff, I feel like I'm hanging by my gigabytes with all of it. (As if I know the exact meaning of what a gigabyte even really means. good grief.) I love my business and though I'm still a newbie, the technology runs tandem with all I'm learning about real estate.

As for texting, well, I've got 2 teenage girls. Need I say more? Never quite convinced I'd ever be cool enough to text, that changed last year, with the exception of the "cool" part. :-) <key flashback music> It was a beautiful balmy summer night and there I sat at a Dodger game enjoying my pretzel when I got my first text from my older kid. (She, of course, has been texting since birth) I look and read: Nothing urgent, just wanted to check in with u and say hi. At that moment I decided to go for it and text her back. In my own cryptic way, I thanked her for checking in and asked her to be patient with her tech-ridden mother as she learns yet, another new way of communication. To which she kindly replied: No problem. I'm just happy you're decided to hang in there with my teen-angst generation and its technology.

So there you have it. Thanks for making me laugh. You're terrific.

Outstanding post... I can't wait to hear more about what you learned, there is so much to do that sometimes I get overwhelmed... Looking forward to more.

Tisza, a very cute - and - RIGHT ON - post! I've been gathering all of the techno stuff along the way.... now to learn just how to do it. ;-) Texting is a pain 'cause I have nails, and I plan to KEEP them...the Treo works great, but I need a bigger keypad. ;-)

Tablet PC... check

QWERTY phone... check

Mini-video camera... check

Digital camera that also does video... check

All of the knowledge to leverage my technology to the hilt...

hhmmm... not check.

Gosh, I'm so far behind. But my town is way behind too. One of my clients doesn't even have internet. And texting just annoys me to no end. But I guess I gotta get where you are if I'm going to keep up.

Great post and you obviously have a terrific sense of humor. I'm in the same place you are!

Michael Carter, Realtor Greenville, SC www.beachboyrealestate.com

Hi All,

Boy, that will teach me to spend the day away from the computer! I am pleased and honored to have been the recipient of so much good will.

Missy - It was great meeting you too. I have already started the shopping process for my next phone. I need to bop over to the Verizon store to get my hands on some of these streamlined beauties

Diane - I don't think you need to make the change unless your client's are demanding it. I think we get the clients that "get" us. You will know when the time is right :-)

Adam - I SOOO hear you there.

Jeannette - I agree that to the client's who are up on these things themselves, being one step ahead sends the right message.

Monika - That's what happens to me, just wave something shiny in front of my nose and I will follow you anywhere :-)

Marcia - Thanks, coming from your previous world, I am sure you know more than most that there is no way to stay on "top", all you can hope for is to try to stay near it. I haven't tried JOTT but will check it out. Thanks for the tip.

Debbie - Thanks. Believe me I am glad they have those packages. When my younger stepson first got his phone after the first month, I didn't walk I ran to the phone company to get a plan.

Kathy - Confession time here, I stopped worrying about them and started realizing that if they are willing to engage in career limiting behavior, that may not be a bad thing :-)

Jeff - I'm sorry we didn't meet up either, perhaps we will meet again sometime in the near future.

- Blank - I agree

Cheryl - I tried that for the longest time, but in my case, I finally had to admit that I couldn't fight the flow. One thing that I have come to realize is that if I use this medium to communicate with and ultimately attract my clients I need to be prepared for them to be as tech savvy as I am or even more so.

Elizabeth - I agree to a point, I think your client's will direct you to some extent and I know in my case, I tend to attract "techies" not exclusively, but often enough that my tech bent seems to be a self fulfilling prophecy. I am pretty convinced that lower tech marketing methods will tend to attract lower tech folks and higher tech methods will attract higher tech folks. Not better or worse but very different from each other.

Mina - You said a mouthful :-)

JB - I agree that nothing will ultimately replace "face time" but what consistently amazes me is how for some folks, newer communication methods come pretty darn close.

Joan - You got that right :-)

Kelly - Yes, there sure is. One of the things that I try to remind myself is to "Lead with revenue" a basic principle of the Millionaire Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller. If you haven't read it I highly recommend it no matter what company you are with.

Kimberly - Yup, I sometimes feel like I am playing a giant game of technology Follow The Leader, no matter how close I may be to the front I am always one step behind.

Kim - It was great to see you folks again as well, hopefully when I see you all next year I will be a Broker also. And, don't get me started on the Flip, I am currently compiling my "to buy" list for the holidays and at this point everyone on my list may be getting one of these puppies.

Monica - I so know what you mean, my dollars and my desire are never in concert with each other.

Pat - From your lips to God's ears with that :-) I am inclined to agree with you regarding that agent and I don't think that is such a bad thing. I am willing to bet that they were also of the MLS chisel and rock school who will happily regale you with what things were like back in the day when the contract was 1 page. Unfortunately, in some cases these folks have never bothered to read any of the other pages added since.

AJ - I agree, but that's just the trouble, I like and if given enough time I can find justification for getting them all.

Diane - If only that treadmill would help reduce the size of my thighs as well at it reduces the size of my wallet.

Erika - I will look forward to seeing you next year. I like all the bells and whistles on the iPhone but don't want to sacrifice superior service in my area for style. I need to check out the blackberry & the treo & the other smart phones Verizon has to offer.

Joeann - It was wonderful seeing you again as well and thank you so much for the copy of your book "Conversations on Success". I look forward to reading it and gleaning the pearls of wisdom it has to offer. As for being lucky, I just have to look at the wonderful people in my life to know how lucky I truly am :-)

Bob & Carolin - It is a vicious circle but at least the toys are cool :-)

Maya - Thanks for the tip.

Michelle - A great time doesn't begin to cover it.

Terri - Thank you.

- Blank - Thank you for the compliment and for your amusing comment. Welcome to the fold.

Debbie - Thank you & I will keep you posted on all I learned.

Teri - Thank you. I hear you were the nails are concerned. I have the same challenge.

Lane - Yup, buying the stuff is the easy part, deciding to learn how to use it all effectively, there's the challenge.

Karl - Until they go there, you don't have to either but it might be a good idea to get the map even if you haven't actually set out on the journey.

Michael - Thank you for the compliment. I am glad you enjoyed it.

Take care all, help lots of people and have a wonderful day!

Tisza

I love the imagery of "the tigers of technology." There definitely are a lot of attractive new tech toys out there, so we need to keep reminding ourselves of the MREA advice "lead with revenue."

Hi again Tisza,

This is blank speaking. Have no clue why my name didn't show up, but wanted to try this one more time to let you know I may be a lot of things, but blank isn't one of them. :-)

JUL

2008

Funny but your post reminded me of Shaw Shank Redemption... Specifically the part where the old timer FINALLY got out of jail and nearly got hit by an "automobile" (aka CAR) and said, "I remember seeing an automobile once when I was a kid, but they are EVERYWHERE now".

It does not take any time for technology to pass you by and it gets faster and faster with each passing generation.

I remember seeing the Epcot exibit where EVERYONE had a 'home computer' and could easily communicate with someone in china not even speaking the same language, and though How Bazaar... How Cool that would be... EVEN FUNNIER we are here and have been for some time now!

Tisza, a girl after my own heart! I'm at the beach with a Blackberry that won't get a freakin' signal, but oh wait@ There are no cell phone companies with offices of Cape Cod! At least not in Chatham! What do these people do?

Technology has always been cement wall for our company. With so many "experienced" agents, moving them into the 21st century has been extremely difficult. Why do I need a web site, what is email, where is my MLS book - that is all I really need. Well, Dorothy, we are not in Kansas anymore and neither are the new buyers and sellers. As we get newer and younger agents, they are up-to-date on all of the latest gadgets and we as the I.T. Department, have to be able to keep up. That is hard at times as we deal in windows-based equipment and a lot of the new phones to access the MLS are Palm-based.

JUL

2008

Hi All,

John - Glad you like the image and I definately do remember that sage advice, in fact I even mentioned it in my previous response to my commenters - great minds really do think alike don't they?

Carin - I would never want to infer that you were LOL. You might not have been logged in when you posted your comment so that would keep your identity secret, but I am glad you are undercover no more. Thanks for stopping by.

Katrina - It is hard to remember and sometimes to believe how many changes we have seen in so short a time. Just think, we all probably still know and talk to someone who remembers when telephones were run by operators, all planes only had propellers, there were more movies made in black & white than color, milk was delivered and Pizza was not.

Patricia - I have been in that position if not that place and have wondered that many times myself. I am especially perplexed by agents that don't have cellphones. What's up with that? Heck, I have two but then we always knew that I was a little left of center :-)

Ed - I feel your pain. Right now my broker is struggling with which phone she should choose to be able to access Top Producer from her Verizon phone. She hates her new treo but can't get a straight answer out of the folks at the Top Producer help line.

Take care all, help lots of people, thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Tisza

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